Samsung leads smartphone sales

Samsung has sold more smartphones than any other company in the past three months, according to the latest industry figures.

Data from independent research firm Strategy Analytics indicates that the South Korean electronics giant shipped 44.5 million smartphones in the first quarter of 2012, thanks in large part to the success of Galaxy models like the Note, Y and S2. That translates into an impressive 30.6 per cent share of the entire global market.

Apple and Nokia

Apple came a close second with 35.1 million iPhones shipped, which represents a 24.1 per cent market share. However, Nokia slumped to just 11.9 million units or an 8.2 per cent market share. It has been a terrible period for Nokia, which was still the number one smartphone manufacturer this time last year.

Neil Mawston, executive director at Strategy Analytics, explained that the dynamics of the smartphone market are changing rapidly. He said: “Samsung and Apple combined now account for more than half of global smartphone shipments for the first time ever. Samsung and Apple are outcompeting most of their major rivals and the smartphone market is at risk of becoming a two-horse race.”

Tom Glass, creative director at theEword, felt that Samsung was reaping the rewards for investing heavily in product development. He said: “The Galaxy product range combines the functionality of Android with the stylishness of an iPhone at an affordable price point. So it’s no surprise to me that it’s really powering Samsung’s success in the smartphone market.”

Q1 2012 global smartphone sales

Here is a breakdown of the global smartphone shipments in the first quarter of 2012: